Getting New Photography Gear? The Secret To Getting Great Deals At Bargain Prices

December 21, 2008

The time will come that you’re going to want to replace/add to your photography accessories. The primary reason people procrastinate is because of the daunting process they imagine is required to get the “right stuff” at the “best price.”

Though understandable, this kind of logic is really not necessary. I know because I used to do it myself for 16 years. During that time, I learned a lot, made a few mistakes, and discovered several extremely clever approaches to finding a “good deal.”

If you’re not shopping for new photo equipment just yet, that’s OK. Just do yourself a favor and keep the following advice so it’s handy when you are ready. Although this article is geared toward photographic gear, most of the content could easily address non-photographic purchases as well.

Understand What Your Goal Is

People don’t just roll out of bed one morning and think: I’m going to get a new camera today. Instead, something kicked off the desire; typically wanting to do something that is beyond the capabilities of their current gear.

Before taking the plunge, it helps to know which camera features are important to you. For that, you might want to consider examining a list of camera features before getting new photography gear. Ya think?

The first thing to do is decide on what specific gear to buy. The next question is about getting the best deals at great prices. That answer has 3 parts:

You Don’t HAVE TO Buy Retail

You want to buy from an online merchant who you trust. Trust! Who might that be, you wonder? If you want to figure it out yourself, go to PriceGrabber’s Merchant Rating Service and read the reviews given by other buyers.

When dealing with online merchants, be alert for certain warning signs. If you notice any, that should indicate it’s time to look for another merchant. Just two of the numerous possible red flags are: a pushy sales representative; and having great prices on the main item, but have it bundled with accessories that are over-priced.

The Big Guys Are Big For a Reason

There are numerous excellent cameras on the market today… part of why it takes so long to reach a decision. So unless you want to spend a month deciding on a brand, bottom line – go with either Canon or Nikon.

Do You ALWAYS Have To Buy NEW?

If you’re OK buying used photo gear, you can get some great deals. In addition to eBay, there are plenty of outstanding sources for used photo gear.

Craig’s List is especially good because it’s local and therefore you can actually meet the seller in person and therefore test the equipment before you buy it. Find a local area of Craig’s List, by “Googling” them.

eBay and Craig’s List are not the only choices. There are several other online options…

Some photography stores carry NEW and USED gear, often providing a 30 day (or more) warranty. Check for a Used Equipment section on their sites or search Google for online merchants who dabble in used
Search Google for online stores dealing exclusively in used gear
Photography Forums, such as Fred Miranda have an active Buy/Sell service

After obtaining your perfect photo gear, it’s time to focus on your ultimate objective and find out how to capture some amazing photographs with it.